It wasn’t that we had a super high attendance…it was pretty good right at 400.

It wasn’t that we had such a great offering, although it was solid…made budget for the week.

It wasn’t that we had a large number of guests, although there were several.

It wasn’t that we had great music…even though we did! Kerry, Jason, Richard and Danny did an amazing cover of Need To Breathe‘s “Washed By The Water” along with a stellar worship set.

It wasn’t that we had a great time with part 2 of our “Beginnings” series looking at Noah and seeing the foundational principles of Grace and Guidance seen in Genesis 6. (I am lovin’ this series by the way.)

It wasn’t even that I got to see an old friend from my hometown and my high school days visit The Ridge today…which I did.

What it WAS that made it such a WOW…such a God day was this:

> NINE (9) baptisms this morning!! – 8 adults & 1 teenager!!

> THEN at the end of the dayTEN (10) people boldly stood toaccept Christ as their Savior and put their faith in Him!!

I am pumped! I am so excited to see what God is doing @ The Ridge right now! Its all about Him and what He is doing in the hearts of people, families, and our community! One of these men who trusted Christ today was someone I have been praying for for quite a while. Awesome! Yea God!!

We now have 8 children scheduled to be baptized and potentially 10 more along with at least 2 that are already waiting in the wings! I said at the start of the year that I was praying for 110 baptisms in ’09. God has already given us potentially by the end of February, 32! That’s a strong pace!

If you serve @ The Ridge in any capacity…THIS is why you do it! THIS is the payoff. THIS is why you give your tithes! THIS is what it means to “change people’s perspective.” THIS is what it means to “Impact another generation!” ALL of you who give and serve @ The Ridge (even those of you in other cities who support the work here) had a part in a great day. Today the score was God 19- satan 0!

But there is a lot more work to do…so just as we looked at Noah today, we have to keep building…because time is running out. The enemy won’t give up. We musn’t either. There is no off-season! Noah walked with God and preached righteousness, built obediently and served faithfully…until GOd sent the rains. We must do the same. Keep bringing people to The Ridge. Don’t stop inviting, praying, serving, giving. The advancement of the Kingdom depends on it!

Think I’m excited tonight…yeah, just a bit! Even though my team lost the Super Bowl (in a very good game I might add), it doesn’t compare to what we might lose if we falter. I pray that God will continue to do things that we can’t explain! I have the greatest job in the world…at the greatest church in the world!